City Offers Guidance On Safely Returning Home After Fires

As evacuation orders are downgraded, the City of Spokane is offering guidance on how to safely return home.

The Spokane Regional Health District is advising residents whose homes are still standing to look for smoke, ash, and damaged utilities. Visit SRHD’s “After a Wildfire” website to find guidance on what to look for in terms of any potential hazards in your home.

Personal Protective Equipment

Residents returning home should be sure to have the proper personal protective equipment. This includes masks, long sleeves, gloves, and protective eyewear.

The vast majority of residents will be returning to a Tier II neighborhoods. It is recommended that residents in these areas wear N95 masks.

A smaller number of residents will return to a Tier I neighborhood. In these areas, public health officials are working hard to deliver the appropriate PPE kits directly to homes.

Everyone else should make their way to PPE distribution points as they approach their neighborhoods. Masks, water, and printed guidance on returning home will be available at these sites. Locations within City of Spokane boundaries include: 

• Indian Trail Shopping Center, 3321 W Indian Trail
• River Ridge Shopping Center, 4605 N Assembly
• Five Mile Park N Ride, 1762 W Five Mile Road
• Corner of 9 Mile Road and Royal Drive, 7202 N Nine Mile Road

Cleaning Your Home

Once residents have the appropriate PPE, they can begin cleaning the inside of their homes.

Guidelines from the Washington State Department of Health includes: 

• Wash hard surfaces, floors, and walls with mild, soapy water and a damp cloth. Don’t dry sweep up ash; you don’t want to breathe it in. 
• Replace HVAC and air purifier filters and check them frequently in the coming days and weeks for the need to replace.
• Clean and sanitize all exposed dishware, counters, clothes and other textiles.
• Don’t use leaf blowers, mowers, or brooms that throw dust in the air. If you have to vacuum, use a HEPA filter vacuum.
• Outside, avoid disturbing or sifting through contaminated soil or ash until there is further guidance from authorities.

Natural Gas Service

If your gas is off, you should call Avista Utilities at 800-227-9187. Do not attempt to relight natural gas service or appliances yourself; leave this work to the professionals. 

Garbage Service

Non-Regular Pickup Days

Residents returning home can place garbage carts only out on the curb starting today. Residents can put garbage carts out daily if there is a need; however, crews may not be able to collect from every neighborhood every day in addition to regular pickups. Collection crews will make special rounds to downgraded evacuation areas starting Monday, Aug. 10. Please do not put extra bags out on non-regular pickup days. Special pickups will be unpredictable and based on resources. Please be patient as we navigate this catastrophic event. Customers will not be charged for these additional collections.

Normal Collection Days

On normal collection day, residents can put out extra bags to be picked up free of charge. Please remember to have carts and extra bags out by 6 a.m. as routes are likely to be adjusted during this time. 

What We Cannot Accept:

• FIRE DEBRIS or anything damaged by fire.
• NO BULKY ITEMS OR APPLIANCES at this time. Those will be handled differently, and guidance will be provided as soon as possible.

Water Service

If your water has been turned off, do not try to restore utilities yourself. Call Spokane 311 to have water service safely restored. 

After completing a variety of tests for bacteria and other potential contaminants over the last week, the City of Spokane's Water Department is reporting that it is delivering safe and clean water in the areas impacted by fire. 

Residents who have been evacuated and haven't used their water for more than a week should flush the water in their house before drinking to avoid issues with stagnant water in their homes. The Water Department recommends flushing water through internal plumbing fixtures to “turn over” the unused water and refresh water from the water main through pipes.

How to Flush Your Plumbing After Returning Home

1. Remove faucet aerators from sinks throughout your home. This is a good opportunity to soak them in warm vinegar to help remove mineral buildup and any debris before reinstalling them.
2. Turn on all cold-water faucets, one at a time, leaving each running as you move through your home. Turn on the bathtub faucet(s) last. If you only have a shower, turn it on last.
3. Allow the water to run just long enough to walk through your home turning on each faucet, then make another pass to turn them all off. This replaces the stagnant water in your plumbing with fresh water from the public water system.
4. If applicable, also flush: outdoor hose bibs/spigots, refrigerator water dispenser or ice maker supply, washing machine supply lines, or other infrequently used water fixtures.
5. Reinstall the cleaned aerators once flushing is complete.

Click here to learn more.

Disaster Assistance Center - New Dates Added

The Disaster Assistance Center at Shadle Park High School is now open daily through Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone affected by the fires is encouraged to attend to connect directly with resources. The City of Spokane recorded videos with more than 20 agencies about the services they can offer at the Disaster Assistance Center. Learn more here.

Spokane Complex Fire

The California Interagency Incident Management Team 7 and Spokane County Emergency Management are providing daily updates on the Spokane Complex Fire. Information on containment, progress made by firefighters, and mop up operations can be found here. For the most up-to-date evacuation information, visit the Spokane County Emergency Management evacuation map.

California Team 7 will host five public meetings over four days throughout the Spokane Arena. All meetings will have an online virtual option for those who cannot attend in person. Dates, times, and locations include: 

Fairview Fire: District 9

• Date and Time: Monday, August 10, 6 p.m.
• Location: Union Event Center, 12508 North Market St, Mead, WA 99201

Old Trails Fire: District 10/City of Spokane

• Date and Time: Tuesday, August 11 and Thursday, August 13, 6 p.m. 
• Location: Shadle Park High School, 4327 N Ash St, Spokane, WA 99204

Autumn Lane Fire: Stevens County Fire District #1

• Date and Time: Tuesday, August 11, 6 p.m.
• Location: Lakeside High School, 5909 WA-291, Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026

Autumn Lane Fire: District 9, District 4

• Date and Time: Wednesday, August 12, 6 p.m.
• Location: Mead High School, 302 W Hasting Rd, Spokane, WA 99218

Community Resource Website

We ask that everyone in our community visit SpokaneCommunityResources.org to connect with any of the following: 

• Impacted families seeking resources
• Organizations providing support or seeking volunteers
• Community members interested in volunteering or donating
• Business leaders seeking resources 

City of Spokane Wildfire Information Page

The City of Spokane has launched a wildfire information page to help our community navigate this difficult time. Here you will find resources for evacuees, frequently asked questions about city services, ways to help, cleanup efforts, and information on rebuilding as it becomes available. my.spokanecity.org/wildfireinfo

Alert Spokane

Register for ALERT Spokane

Register for ALERT Spokane to receive emergency alerts. You can sign up to receive alerts at multiple phone numbers and get a call or text, or you can get a notification via email. To register, visit SCEM.org, and the form is on the page. If you prefer to hear the message in your native language, there are many language options to choose from. 

On the Bright Side

H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund

The City of Spokane's H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund has raised $395,000 as of 4 p.m. today, Sunday, Aug. 9. Thank you!

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